A computer boffin who imported large amounts of cannabis illegally from Canada has avoided jail - even though he supplied some of the drug to others.

Luke Goscombe, an IT technical support worker, of Tyning Crescent in Slimbridge admitted smuggling cannabis into the UK and being concerned in the supply of the drug.

He was sentenced to 18 months jail suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

Prosecutor Caighli Taylor told the court on August 25 last year the UK Border agency intercepted a parcel from Canada which was addressed to Goscombe and found it contained approximately 140grams of flowering cannabis worth £1,140.